Nintendo signs deal with O2 for free wireless Internet access through O2 Wi-Fi (Europe)

Nintendo 3DS owners will now be able to access free Wi-Fi through O2 hotspots throughout the UK

3rd June 2013 – Nintendo has today announced a partnership with O2 to provide further Wi-Fi internet access to users of its Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 3DS XL consoles across thousands of locations in the UK.

Nintendo 3DS owners will now be able to automatically connect to the internet for free whenever they enter locations or venues covered by the O2 Wifi service. These include highstreet locations such as McDonalds, Debenhams, Pizza Hut, Costa Coffee, House of Fraser, Toby Carvery as well as public venues such as The O2, Twickenham, Bluewater and the Central London boroughs of Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea.

There’s no need to worry about any complicated setup on your Nintendo 3DS as just being in range of an O2 Wifi hotspot is enough to go online, providing you have the latest system update. When you are near to a compatible area – all of which can be found using Nintendo’s handy Hotspot finder – the Nintendo Zone icon will blink to notify you that free Wi-Fi internet access is available. Nintendo 3DS owners will then be able to access a multitude of online features, allowing a seamless online user experience whether at home or on the move.

Nintendo Zone enables gamers on the go to browse the internet, as well as compete with other gamers online, download movie trailers, receive SpotPass content, access Nintendo eShop and receive software updates – even when their device is on standby.

Upcoming content available to download from Nintendo Video includes free 3D trailers for blockbusters such as Iron Man 3, Monsters University and Epic as well as 3D animations featuring everybody’s favorite pink morphing-maestro Kirby and extreme sports action from Red Bull.

Shelly Pearce, Marketing and PR Director, Nintendo UK said, “We’re always looking at ways to improve the user experience for Nintendo 3DS owners. This partnership with O2 means that gamers will now have access to all of the unique online features offered by Nintendo Zone in more locations than ever before.”

Gavin Franks, MD of O2 Wifi said: “Nintendo is a leading brand in the gaming world and have shown real innovation in the industry, making them an ideal partner for O2 Wifi. With the popularity of online multiplayer gaming continuing to rise, customers are looking for a fast, free accessible Wi-Fi connection when they’re on the move – something that we know is becoming perceived as a right, rather than a privilege. This deal will enable Nintendo 3DS gamers to automatically connect their device to O2 Wifi whenever they are in over 7,000 hotspots across the UK’s top venues, restaurants and retailers. It’s a great example of how we’re delivering brilliant digital experiences for our customers.”

O2 Wifi enables online enabled devices such as video game consoles to connect remotely to the internet when within range of one of its locations nationwide. The service is free for everyone, regardless of network or broadband provider and once registered, customers are automatically connected each time they enter a coverage area.

Since launching just over two years ago O2 Wifi has added over 7,000 hotspots and over six million customers to the service, making it the fastest growing Wi-Fi operator in the UK**. By using the service Nintendo 3DS owners can have access to a faster and more reliable internet experience and won’t have to sacrifice online features of their devices when away from home.

The O2 Wifi partnership with Nintendo is now live in selected hotspot areas, with full roll out over the coming weeks allowing Nintendo 3DS owners an unparalleled online experience while they are on the go.

Source: Nintendo PR